The Journal of Human Resource and Adult Learning, Vol. 10, Num. 2, December, 2014 issue 41

Life in the Fast Lane: Navigating the New World Order –

The Global Workplace

Alexandra Saba Montesi, Ph.D.

Global Enterprise and Management, Woodbury University, USA

ABSTRACT

In these times of fast change, every organization is just one generation away from extinction. The

future of business is shaped not just by economic and technological changes but also by population and

generational changes. Today’s employees crave constant and immediate information. Life is in the FAST

LANE.

A Rand Study (2012) found that technological advances are expected to continue to increase

demand for a highly skilled workforce to support higher productivity growth and to change the

organization of business and the nature of employment relationships. Talent challenges will involve

business speed, scale, competition, geographic shifts in opportunities and skill sets, the escalating war

for talent , the borderless workforce, the virtual workplace, multi-generational and cultural diversity , all

facilitating mobility (Bersin, 2013).

Human Capital Management professionals will need to prepare and build their workforces to

address the recruitment, selection and retention needs of the changing generations now and for the future

to stay competitive.

The paper will address the challenges of the changing generations and will discuss the

characteristics, attitudes and communication styles of the generations to provide the HC Management

professionals and their organizations a competitive advantage in the fast moving global generational

workplace.